Vehicle side article transporter device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a container for a light-duty automobile such as a light-duty pickup truck or sport-utility vehicle having at least one opening, operably associated with the quarter panel of an automobile, an inner wall operably associated with the container, and a cover having a closed position and an open position operably associated with the opening. The cover includes a door inner, and a door outer. The invention also includes a first rail positioned between the container and the quarter panel. The container is integrally formed with the first rail, and is located between the first rail and the inner wall. The first rail supports the container, and the cover can be moved from the open position to the closed position, allowing access to the container.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a formed storage unit for use in lightduty pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles often have space between theinner and outer panels of the body (or bed in the case of a pickuptruck) which is typically unused or underutilized. The space is mostprevalent around the area of the wheel house enclosures of both pickuptrucks and sport utility vehicles. It is often desired to store andtransport smaller items, where the large space in the bed of a pickup orthe back of a sport utility vehicle is unnecessary. Typically, totransport smaller items, a toolbox or other type of storage device isplaced in the pickup bed or the back of the sport utility vehicle.Having an additional tool box or other type of storage device placed inthe bed or the back of a sport utility vehicle reduces the amount ofspace available for transporting larger items.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a storage unit which is capable ofstoring and moving articles of interest to the majority of light dutytruck and sport utility vehicle owners that allows for the enclosed,weather resistant, lockable moving or carrying of articles, while stillmaintaining the essence of the vehicle's original intent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a container for a light-duty automobile such asa light-duty pickup truck or sport-utility vehicle having at least oneopening, operably associated with the quarter panel of an automobile, aninner wall operably associated with the container, and a cover having aclosed position and an open position operably associated with theopening. The cover includes a door inner, and a door outer. Theinvention also includes a first rail positioned between the containerand the quarter panel.

The container is integrally formed with the first rail, and is locatedbetween the first rail and the inner wall. The first rail supports thecontainer, and the cover can be moved from the open position to theclosed position, allowing access to the container.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a first exploded view of a vehicle side article transporterdevice, according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a second exploded view of a vehicle side article transporterdevice, according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a first sectional side view of a vehicle side articletransporter device, according to the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a second sectional side view of a vehicle side articletransporter device, according to the present invention;

FIG. 4B is an exploded view of a hinge used for the cover of a vehicleside article transporter device, according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hinge and a door latch used for afront extension of a vehicle side article transporter device, accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a corner supportused in a vehicle side article transporter device, according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a first perspective view of a front extension having a proprod located in a prop rod sheath used in a vehicle side articletransporter device, according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a second perspective view of a front extension having a proprod and a prop rod sheath used in a vehicle side article transporterdevice, according to the present invention;

FIG. 9A is an exploded view of a container having horizontal andcross-car dividers used in a vehicle side article transporter device,according to the present invention;

FIG. 9B is an enlarged view of a first embodiment horizontal divider anda pocket inside wall used in a vehicle side article transporter device,according to the present invention;

FIG. 9C is an enlarged view of a second embodiment of a horizontaldivider and a pocket inside wall used in a vehicle side articletransporter device, according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a first exploded view of a second embodiment of a secondembodiment of a corner support used with a vehicle side articletransporter device, according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a top view of a second embodiment of a corner support usedwith a vehicle side article transporter device, according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a second exploded view of a corner support used with avehicle side article transporter device, according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of two side panels used with an alternateembodiment of a vehicle side article transporter device, according tothe present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a side panel and a half-panel used inanother alternate embodiment of a vehicle side article transporterdevice, according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a flat cover and a drawer used in yetanother embodiment of a vehicle side article transporter device,according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an inner cover, a power outlet and acompressor used in yet another embodiment of a vehicle side articletransporter device, according to the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a cover having a drop-down extendableworkboard used in a vehicle side article transporter device, accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a storage module used with the cover ofa vehicle side article transporter device, according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 19A is a sectional side view taken along line A-A of FIG. 18;

FIG. 19B is a sectional side view taken along line B-B of FIG. 18;

FIG. 19C is a sectional side view taken along line C-C of FIG. 18;

FIG. 19D is a sectional side view taken along line D-D of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a storage moduleused with a vehicle side article transporter device, according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a container having racks for supportinga flip-down board, according to the present invention;

FIG. 22 is an enlarged perspective view of a hinge and a two piecebracket used with the rack shown in FIG. 21, according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of a container having racks anda flip-down board, according to the present invention;

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of a container having rack forsupporting an alternate embodiment of a flip-down board, according tothe present invention;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a vehicle side article transporterdevice used in a pick-up truck, according to the present invention; and

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a vehicle side article transporterdevice used in a sport-utility vehicle, according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

An exploded view of a vehicle side article transport device according tothe present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, generally at 10. Thetransport device 10 has a container 12, which is made through a formingprocess such as blow molding. The container 12 has an opening 14 inwhich objects to be stored are inserted. Surrounding the opening 14 is aseal 16, the function of which will be described later.

The container 12 also includes a cover 18 which has a door outer 20, adoor inner 22, and a door appliqué 24. The door outer 20 is connected tothe door inner 22 through the use of attaching screws 26. There areeight attaching screws 26 used to connect the door outer 20 to the doorinner 22, however, the number of attaching screws 26 may be changed tosuit derivations of the present invention. The door inner 22 also has alip 28 which is inserted into a recess 30 in the door appliqué 24. Thedoor appliqué 24 also extends in between the door inner 22 and the doorouter 20 as shown in FIG. 3. The portion of the door appliqué 24 whichextends in between the door inner 22 and the door outer 20 has sections32 that protrude out of the door appliqué 24 and are attached to thedoor inner 22 through the use of a set of screws (not shown). The forceapplied to the door appliqué 24 extending in between the door inner 22and the door outer 20 along with the lip 28 being inserted into therecess 30 holds the door appliqué 24 in place. The cover 18 is connectedto the container through the use of a set of hinges 34.

The door appliqué 24 is not a necessary component of the transporterdevice 10; the transporter device 10 can function as desired without thedoor appliqué 24. The purpose of the door appliqué 24 is to provide asurface having high-gloss paint, or high quality finish, which can bematched to the surface of a vehicle having a high quality finish.Vehicles incorporating the present invention which are used forcommercial purposes, such as construction or electrical work, may notneed the door appliqué 24 because the aesthetic appearance of thevehicle may not be relevant.

The container 12 is supported by first rail or outer rail 36, which ispositioned in between the container 12 and a quarter panel 38 of apickup truck or a sport utility vehicle, and a second rail or innerupper rail 40, which is located between the container 12 and an innerwall 42 of the bed of a pick up truck or the interior of a sport utilityvehicle. The container 12 is made through the use of a forming process,such as blow molding, injection molding, or vacuum molding, and ismolded around the outer rail 36, and the inner upper rail 40.

When the container 12 is assembled into the bed of a pickup truck orrear section of a sport utility vehicle, in this embodiment thecontainer 12 is located on the outside of and supported by a structuralbed assembly 44. The structural bed assembly 44 has a flat panel 46 usedfor transporting various items in known fashion. Also included as partof the structural bed assembly 44 is a header panel 48; the header panel48, the flat panel 46, and the inner wall 42 form the bed of a pick uptruck. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a lower rail 43 is connected to thepanel 46 and inner wall 42 through the use of a fastener 45. Similarcomponents are used to form the rear portion of a sport utility vehiclewhich also incorporates the transporter device 10 of the presentinvention.

Included in the structural bed assembly 44 are four corner supports 50.The corner supports 50 are shown in more detail in FIG. 6. The cornersupports 50 include a center post 52, a first side bracket 54, a secondside bracket 56, a third side bracket 58, and an outer bracket 60.Connected to the corner supports 50 are the load absorbing members,which in this embodiment are shocks 146 used for raising and loweringthe tailgate (not shown) of the pickup truck or sport utility vehicle.The load absorbing members could also be gas struts as well.

When the container 12 is attached to the structural bed assembly 44, theinner upper rail 40 used for supporting the container 12 is supported bya ledge 62 on the inner wall 42, and the first side bracket 54 of thecorner support 50. The outer rail 36 is connected to and supported bythe outer bracket 60. It should be noted that other embodiments of thepresent invention for use in a pickup truck may include welding theouter rail 36 and the and the inner upper rail 40 directly to the headerpanel 48, which would eliminate the need for two of the corner supports50. Embodiments of the present invention used in a sport utility vehiclemay incorporate attaching the inner upper rail 40 and the outer rail 36directly to a common C-pillar. Additionally, the first side bracket 54and outer bracket 60 could also be connected to the header panel 48 or aC-pillar for supporting the inner upper rail 40 and the outer rail 36,respectively, which would eliminate two of the corner posts 52.

Also connected to the container 12 are rear extension 72 and a frontextension 74. Both the rear extension 72 and the front extension 74 areconnected to the container 12. The front extension 74 includes anaperture 76 which is used for allowing a prop rod 78 to extend throughthe aperture 76 to support the cover 18 when the cover 18 is open. Asbest seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the prop rod 78 is positioned in a taperedprop rod sheath 80; the prop rod sheath 80 is located underneath thefront extension 74, and is positioned inside one of the center posts 52.

The prop rod 78 is arcuate in shape, and as the prop rod 78 is forcedinto the prop rod sheath 80 as the cover 18 is closed, the prop rodsheath 78 will act to partially straighten the prop rod 78, holding theprop rod 78 in one position in the prop rod sheath 80, preventing theprop rod 78 from rattling during vehicle travel. When the cover 18 isopened, the prop rod 78 is pulled out of the prop rod sheath 80 tosupport the cover 18, best seen in FIG. 8. The prop rod 78 is connectedto the door inner 22 through the use of a first arc-shaped bracket 79which allows the prop rod 78 to rotate about the first arc-shapedbracket 79 when the cover 18 is opened. The first arc-shaped bracket 79slidably extends through a holder 71, and slides toward a stopper 73when the cover 18 is to be placed in a closed position. The prop rod 78also has a second arc-shaped bracket 81 having a reduced diameterportion which is slid into a t-shaped opening 85 on the front extension74 to hold the cover 18 in an open position when desired.

To operate the prop rod 78, when the cover 18 is opened by the user, theprop rod 78 will be pulled out of the prop rod sheath 80 by the holder71. Once the cover 18 is to an open position, the user will push theprop rod 78 in a direction away from the stopper 73, and the reduceddiameter portion of the second arc-shaped bracket 81 is placed into thet-shaped opening 85. At this point, the prop rod 78 will be in theposition shown in FIG. 8. Also, gas or hydraulic struts could be usedinstead of the prop rod 78 for supporting the cover 18 and forautomatically opening and closing the cover 18.

When the cover 18 is in an open position, the container 12 also includesa lamp 82 which can be used for viewing the inside of the container 12under poor lighting conditions. The lamp 82 is connected to a switch 85;the switch 85 automatically turns on the lamp 82 when the cover 18 isopened. If the cover 18 is to remain open for extended periods of time,the switch 85 can also be used to turn off the lamp 82 to preventdraining the battery of a vehicle when using the lamp 82 is notnecessary. Other embodiments include the lamp 82 having a separaterechargeable battery source allowing the lamp 82 to be removable fromthe container 12. The battery source would be recharged when the lamp 82is not in use, and provide power to the lamp 82 when the lamp 82 hasbeen removed from the container 12.

To hold the cover 18 in a closed position, the container also includes aset of strikers 84 which are used in combination with door latches 86.The door latches 86 are connected to each other by a cable 88. The cable88 is connected to a door handle 90 which is used to open the cover 18.Also included in the door handle 90 is a child safety release handle 92.The child safety release handle 92 is able to glow in the dark, and willallow a person to open the cover 18 from inside the container 12 in caseof accidental entrapment. To open the cover 18, the handle 92 isactuated, pulling on the cable 88, releasing the door latches 86 fromthe strikers 84. When the cover 18 is in a closed position, the seal 16acts to prevent dust and moisture from entering the container 12.

Normally, when the cover 18 moved to a closed position, there is a needfor the air to escape to allow the cover 18 to close with greater ease;this is provided by a pressure relief vent (not shown). Because of theseal 16, the pressure relief vent allows the cover 18 to close easier.

The door handle 90 includes a cylinder (not shown) which is“programmable” with the key of the vehicle in which the transporterdevice 10 is installed. Instead of having a separate key which is usedto unlock the door handle 90, the key which is used for the ignition ofthe automobile can simply be inserted into the cylinder and turned.After turning the key the first time, the cylinder will be programmed toonly open with the key to the ignition of that vehicle, making the cover18 lockable with a single key.

The door latches 86 also provide an alignment feature where the doorlatches 86 are aligned with the strikers 84, which in turn aligns thecover 18 with the container 12 such that the seal 16 will prevent dustand moisture from entering the container 12. Referring to FIGS. 3-4B,the hinges 34 each have a first piece 87 having holes 89, and a secondpiece 91 having an elongated cylinder 93. A pin 95 is inserted throughthe holes 89 of the first piece 87 and the elongated cylinder 93 of thesecond piece 91, allowing the first piece 87 and the second piece 91 torotate with respect to once another. The first piece 87 is connected tothe container 12 using common fasteners, and the second piece 91 isconnected to the door inner 22 in the same manner. However, the doorinner 22 also has fitting slots 97; the fitting slots 97 allow thefasteners which connect the second piece 91 to the door inner 22 tochange position relative to the second piece 91 of the hinge 34.

During assembly, after the door inner 22, the door outer 20, and thedoor appliqué 24 are assembled to form the cover 18, and the doorlatches 86 are connected to the door inner 22, the cover 18 is moved tothe closed position such that the door latches 86 are engaged with thestrikers 84. Once this occurs, the fasteners used for attaching thesecond piece 91 are tightened; tightening the fasteners when the doorlatches 86 are engaged with the strikers 84 ensures that the strikers 84and door latches 86 are aligned every time the cover 18 is opened andclosed, and all respective tolerances are met.

One of the advantages of the present invention is that the transporterdevice 10 can be incorporated without significantly changing theappearance of a vehicle. The quarter panel 38 typically has a hole 94which can be used for retaining a device having a hook or handle whichis used for tying objects down when being held in place on the flatpanel 46 of the structural bed assembly 44. The rear extension 72 alsohas a hole 96 which is aligned with the hole 94 on the quarter panel 38.The hole 96 of the rear extension 72 is also suited for receiving aquarter cap 98. The quarter cap 98 is used to cover both holes 94 and 96when the holes 94 and 96 are not in use. Also, the transporter device 10also allows for the quarter panel 38 to have a typical tail lamp 100.

Another particular advantage of the present invention is the container12 can be divided into sections. Since the container 12 is made througha forming process, the shape of the inside of the container 12 can bechanged by simply changing the shape of the container 12 during theforming process. Referring to FIG. 9, the container can be modified tohave several different types of dividers. The first type of divider is ahorizontal divider 102, which is inserted into the container 12 and issupported by a series of ledges 104 which are formed as part of thecontainer 12. The container 12 can have multiple horizontal dividers 102at different positions in the container 12. The container 12 can also bemanufactured to incorporate cross-car dividers 106. The cross-cardividers 106 can be manufactured in two different ways, the first is tohave a cross-car divider 106 with a squared edge 108 which is receivedby a pocket 110 formed into the container 12, and a projection 112 whichis inserted into a corresponding hole 114 which is also formed in thecontainer 12. The pockets 110, along with the projection 112 areinserted into the hole 114, hold the cross-car dividers 106 in place asthe container 12 is jolted around from vehicle travel.

The second type of cross-car dividers 106 include an angular recess 116which align with a first angular pocket 118 formed into the container12, and a second angular pocket 120 formed into the inner wall 42. Theangular pockets 118 and 120 have two functions. The first is to maintainthe cross-car divider 106 in position so various items can be storedproperly. The second function of the angular pockets 118 and 120 is toallow the flat panel 46 of the structural bed assembly 44 to also bedivided. A divider or midgate 122 is commonly used in the beds of pickuptrucks to divide the bed into sections when transporting cargo ofvarious sizes. The angular pockets 118 and 120 have the ability to beused with a conventional midgate 122 having a protrusion 124 for holdingthe midgate 122 along the flat panel 46 in place. It should be notedthat the container 12 can also be used with both types of cross-cardividers 106 at the same time, along with using each type of cross-cardivider 106 separately.

If the container 12 is being used to transport items which are cooled byice, such as a beverage, the container 12 also has drain plugs 126 whichcan be used to drain any excess liquid inside the container 12 whenstoring cold items. Additionally, the drain plugs 126 can also be usedto drain liquid out of the container 12 when the container 12 has beencleaned.

An alternate embodiment of the corner support 50 is shown in FIGS.10-12. Instead of having a center post 52 with the brackets discussedabove, the corner support 50 is made up of a first block section 128 andsecond block 130. The first block section 128 and the second blocksection 130 are both made of stamped metal, and perform all of thefunctions of the first embodiment of the corner support 50. The firstblock section 128 has an angled section 132, and a panel 134 whichserves the same function as the first side bracket 54 for supporting theupper rail 40.

The second block section 130 includes a raised bracket 136 whichperforms the same function as the second side bracket 56, and a lowerpanel 138 which performs the same function as the third side bracket 58.The second block section 130 also includes a first series of apertures140 and a second series of apertures 142. The first series of apertures140 are used to fasten the corner support 50 in FIG. 10 to the quarterpanel 38 of a pickup truck or sport utility vehicle. The second seriesof apertures 142 allow the tail lamp 100 to be assembled onto thequarter panel 38. The second block section 130 also includes a hole 144for attaching the shocks 146 used for raising the tailgate or the pickuptruck or sport utility vehicle. The second block section 130 also hasthree threaded holes 148, the threaded holes 148 and a common fastenersuch as a screw (not shown) are used to connect a panel 150, cut fromthe inner wall 42, to the quarter panel 38. Connecting the panel 150 tothe quarter panel 38 in this manner improves the aesthetic appearance ofthe transporter device 10.

The first block section 128 and the second block section 130 areconnected by welding. The first block section 128 and the second blocksection 130 both have weld points 152 which are used to weld the firstblock section 128 and the second block section 130 together. Having thecorner support 50 formed of the first block section 128 and the secondblock section 130 reduces the overall number of components and improvesthe ability of the corner support 50 to meet any tolerance requirements.Additionally, the first block section 128 has a tab 154 which is cut outof the first block section 128 which also as weld points 152 for beingwelded to the second block section 130. Both of the first block section128 and the second block section 130 have bottom tabs 156 which haveweld points 152. To connect the corner support 50 of the secondembodiment to the structural bed assembly 44, the structural bedassembly 44 includes a rear rail 158 which is positioned between, andwelded to each of the bottoms tabs 156 of the first block section 128and the second block section 130.

In addition to having the ability to be divided into different sections,the container 12 also has the ability to allow for different types ofaccess as alternate embodiments to the cover 18. Referring to FIG. 13,the cover 18 and quarter panel 38 have been replaced with side panels160 (with the side panels 160 being shown in a closed position inphantom) which open to allow access to the container 12 in a differentmanner than described above. Various combinations of doors and panelscan also be used to access the container 12. For instance, in FIG. 14,the cover 18 and the quarter panel 38 can be replaced with a side panel160 and a half-panel 162. In FIG. 15, the cover 18 and the quarter panel38 are replaced with a flat cover 164 and a drawer 166. In FIG. 16, thecontainer 12 also can have an inner cover 168 which opens from the sameside of the container 12 as the structural bed assembly 44, and having asmall door 170. The small door 170 can be used for accessing the insideof the container 12, or if the container 12 has been equipped with apower outlet 172, and an air compressor 174, the small door 170 can beused for accessing the power outlet 172 and the air compressor 174. Anelectronic cooler (not shown) could also be used in the container 12,where the electronic cooler would plug in to the power outlet 172 andallow items to be stored at a reduced temperature inside the cooler.

It is not necessary to change the cover 18 or the quarter panel 38 forthe container 12 to include the power outlet 172 and the air compressor174, the container 12 can include these items, as well as a batterycharger unit 176 and a power inverter 178, as shown in FIG. 16.

Power supplied to the container 12 could be used with other types ofelectronic devices as well. Audio speakers, video monitors, internetconnections, phones, docking ports, and additional power outlets couldalso be used and stored in the container 12. The container 12 could alsobe completely dedicated to providing an entertainment package having avideo monitor which could be used for video games, playing DVD's, orwith satellite television.

It should be noted that the power inverter 178 is necessary to providepower to the power outlet 172 for use with the various aforementioneditems.

The container 12 and the cover 18 can include other types of features aswell. Referring now to FIG. 17, incorporated into the cover 18 is adrop-down extendable work board 180. The work board 180 is made of afirst panel 182 and a second panel 184. The second panel 184 is storedunderneath the first panel 182, and slides outward away from the firstpanel 182 as shown in FIG. 17. The second panel 184 has extensions (notshown) which only allow the second panel 184 to extend to a maximumposition, shown in FIG. 17. The work board 180 is stored in a cavity 186when not in use. Connected to the cavity 186 and the first panel 182 aretwo foldable brackets 188. The foldable brackets 188 fold at the hingepoints 190 which allows the work board 180 to be stored in the cavity186. The work board 180 could also be used as a drawing pad, or usedwith a keyboard and mouse if the transporter device 10 is used with acomputer.

The work board 180 could be replaced with a stowable cook top (notshown). The cook top is plugged into the power outlet 172, and would befolded down for use in activities such as tailgating or camping.

Another feature of the container 12 is the use of a storage module 192.A first embodiment of the storage module 192 is shown in FIGS. 18A-18F.The storage module 192 has a lid 194 having a set of rear tabs 196, aset of side tabs 198, and a front slot 200. The storage module 192 alsoincludes a bin 202 which is connected to the lid 194 through a set ofrear hinges 204 and a side hinge 206. The storage module 192 alsoincludes a snap connection 208 which holds the storage module 192 in aclosed position when being stored. In this embodiment, the storagemodule 192 also includes a mounting plate 210 which is fastened to thedoor inner 22 with the attaching screw 26. The mounting plate 210includes a set of rear slots 212, open side slots 214 on each side ofthe mounting plate 210, and a front slot 216.

When the storage module 192 is to be stored in the container 12 when notin use, the rear tabs 196 are inserted into the corresponding rear slots212, and the side tabs 198 will align and fit into the correspondingopen side slots 214 on the mounting plate 210. Once in this position, alocking key 218 is inserted through the front slot 216 of the mountingplate 210, and the front slot 200 of the lid 194. The locking key 218has an angled tab 220, which holds the locking key 218 in place, therebymaintaining the position of the rear tabs 196 in the rear slots 212, andthe side tabs 194 in the side slots 214. This affixes the storage module192 to the mounting plate 210 when the storage module 192 is not beingused.

A second embodiment of the storage module 192 is shown in FIG. 20,wherein like numbers refer to like elements. In this embodiment, themounting plate 210 has been removed, and the lid 194 is connecteddirectly to the door inner 22 through the attaching screws 26 which areinserted through bolt holes 222. In this embodiment, the storage module192 is permanently connected to the door inner 22, and the bin 202 isconnected to the lid 184 in the with the same snap connection 208, andside hinge 206 as described in the previous embodiment. However, alsoincluded is a rear mounting plate 224 which rests on a ledge 226incorporated into the door inner 18. The rear mounting plate 224 isconnected to the lid 194 by the same rear hinges 204 described in theprevious embodiment, which are not shown in the FIG. 20, and the sameside hinges 206. When the storage module 192 is to be accessed, thecover 18 of the container 12 is opened, and the snap connection 208 isreleased, allowing the bin 202 to fold outward to be accessed.

The both of the embodiments of the storage module 192 also include theuse of a first divider 228, and a second divider 230. The bin 202includes a series of recesses 232 which holds the first divider 228 andthe second divider 230 in place. Also, the first divider 228 includes apair of slots 234 which are half the width of the first divider 228. Thesecond divider 230 also includes a pair of slots 236, which are alsohalf the width of the second divider 230. The first divider 228 isinserted into a pair of the recesses 232, and the second divider 230 isalso inserted into a pair of recesses 232 such that one of the slots 234on the first divider 228 aligns with one of the slots 236 on the seconddivider 230. This configuration allows the first divider 228 and thesecond divider 230 to divide the bin 202 into sections, allowing the bin202 to store smaller items, and preventing smaller items from beingshifted around during transport. The position of the first divider 228and second divider 214 can be changed to allow different size items tobe stored in the bin 190.

Other items may be used with the present invention, and could be storeddirectly in the storage module 192, or in the container 12, whichinclude tool kits, a sportsman's rack for fishing tackle or firearmaccessories and ammunition, medical kit storage, a vehicle safety kithaving items such as flares or reflective triangles, a camping utensilkit having items such as a hatchet, knife, flashlight, or rope, or acooking utensil kit having items such as a knife, fork, spoon, tongs, orspatula. Also included could be a rack having a series of fasteners forstoring different items.

Another application of the present invention is shown in FIG. 21. Thecontainer 12 is equipped with two racks 238 having a series of notches240 and a channel 242. Each rack 238 is used with a removable hinge 244;each removable hinge 244 is used for supporting a flip-down board 246.The hinge 244 has a flat portion 248 and an extension 250. The hinge 244also includes two holes 252, a tab 254, and a curved flange 256. Thecurved flange 256 surrounds, and is connected to, a pin 258. Referringto FIG. 23, the flip-down board 256 includes a telescoping two-piecebracket 260 for supporting each side of the board 256. In thisembodiment, the hole 252 closest to the rack 238 is not in use. Afastener (not shown) connects the hole 252 furthest away from theextension 250 to a slot 262 formed in the bracket 260. To use the board246, the board is rotated about the fastener in the slot 262 from theposition shown in FIG. 23, to the position shown in FIG. 22. The board246 is then slid on the flat portion 248 until the board restsunderneath the tab 254. Once the board 246 is underneath the tab 254,the board 246 will no longer be able to rotate, and can be used tosupport any number of items.

The hinge 244 can also be adjusted to various heights along the racks238. When a hinge 244 is mounted on one of the racks 238, the pin 258 isinserted into a pair of the notches 240, and the extension 250 will beinserted into the pair notches 240 below the notches 240 in which thepin 258 is inserted. The distance between the pin 258 and the extension250 is the same distance between the sets of notches 240 along the rack238. The pin 258 and the extension 250 can be inserted into differentsets of notches 240 to adjust the height of the board 246 when in use.Also, the racks 238 can be changed to change the position of the board246 as well. An example of where one of the racks 238 can be moved to isshown in FIGS. 21 and 23.

An alternate embodiment of the board 246 is shown in FIG. 24, with theboard 246 being divided into two pieces. In this embodiment, the board246 is supported on two sides by a two-piece foldable bracket 264. Thebracket 264 is connected to the hole 252 closest to the extension 250.The bracket 264 also includes a stepped portion 266 which allows thebracket 264 and the board 246 to pivot about the stepped portion 256without contacting the tab 254. The stepped portion 256 is connected tothe hinge 244 through the use of a fastener (not shown) which will allowthe bracket 264 to pivot about the stepped portion 256. This embodimentalso includes a rack 238 for supporting the hinge 244, similar to thefirst embodiment.

An example of the present invention incorporated into a pick-up truck isshown in FIG. 25, and a sport-utility vehicle in FIG. 26. In can be seenthat the door appliqué 24 is shaped differently, depending upon the typeof vehicle in which the present invention is used.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and,thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention areintended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations arenot to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A storage unit for a motor vehicle, comprising: a container having atleast one opening, said container positioned at least partially within aquarter panel of the motor vehicle, said motor vehicle including aninner wall spaced from said quarter panel; a cover positioned at saidopening, said cover being actuatable between a closed position and anopen position, said cover having a door inner, and a door outer; a firstrail positioned between said container and said quarter panel; andwherein said container is integrally formed with said first rail, andsaid container being located in between said first rail and said innerwall, said first rail and said inner wall support said container, andsaid cover can be moved from said open position to said closed position,allowing access to said container.
 2. The storage unit according toclaim 1, further comprising a seal located between said opening and saiddoor inner, wherein seal surrounds said opening such that when saidcover is in said closed position, said seal will prevent moisture anddebris from entering said opening.
 3. The storage unit according toclaim 1, further comprising a second rail positioned between said innerwall and said container for providing additional support between saidinner wall and said container.
 4. The storage unit according to claim 1,further comprising at least one corner support, connected to and furthersupporting said container.
 5. The storage unit according to claim 4,wherein said at least one corner support is connected to a structuralbed assembly of the vehicle.
 6. The storage unit according to claim 4,wherein said at least one corner support is connected to said inner walland said container, further providing support for said container.
 7. Thestorage unit of claim 4, wherein said corner support is furthercomprised of: a center post; a first side bracket connected to saidcenter post; a second side bracket connected to said center post; athird side bracket connected to said center post; and an outer bracketconnected to said center post on the opposite side as said first sidebracket, said second side bracket, and said third side bracket.
 8. Thestorage unit of claim 4, wherein said corner support is furthercomprised of: a first box section; a second box section; and whereinsaid first box section is welded to said second box section to form saidcorner support.
 9. The storage unit according to claim 1, wherein saidcover further comprises a door apliqué, said door appliqué connected tosaid door inner and said door outer to provide an aesthetically pleasingappearance.
 10. The storage unit according to claim 1, wherein saidcontainer further includes a drain plug, and said drain plug can beremoved to drain liquid from said container.
 11. The storage unitaccording to claim 1, wherein said container further comprises a seriesof ledges, and a horizontal divider, said ledges supporting saidhorizontal divider.
 12. The storage unit according to claim 1, whereinsaid storage container further comprises at least one cross-car divider.13. The storage unit according to claim 12, wherein said containerfurther comprises at least one pocket inside wall and a hole, and atleast one cross-car divider having a protrusion for being inserted intosaid at least one pocket-inside wall, and said protrusion for beinginserted into said hole, for dividing said container into sections. 14.The storage unit according to claim 1, wherein said container furthercomprises at least one first angular pocket and a hole, said inner wallcomprises at least one second angular pocket, and said cross-car dividerfurther comprises an angular recess and a protrusion, said angularrecess being inserted adjacent to said first angular pocket and saidsecond angular pocket, and said protrusion being inserted into said holefor holding said cross-car divider in place.
 15. The storage unitaccording to claim 1, wherein said quarter panel further comprises atleast one side panel, said at least one side panel allowing access tosaid container.
 16. The storage unit according to claim 1, whereinquarter panel further comprises a side panel and a half-panel, said sidepanel and said half-panel allowing access to said container.
 17. Thestorage unit according to claim 1, wherein said quarter panel furthercomprises a drawer, and said cover further comprises a flat cover, saiddrawer and said flat cover allowing access to said container.
 18. Thestorage unit according to claim 1, wherein said cover is an insidecover, and said container further comprises a door, said insider coverand said door allowing access to said container.
 19. The storage unitaccording to claim 1, wherein said container further includes a poweroutlet, an air compressor, a battery charger unit, or a power inverter.20. The storage unit according to claim 1, wherein said cover furthercomprises a drop-down extendable workboard.
 21. The storage unitaccording to claim 1, wherein said cover further includes a storagemodule, said storage module having a lid and a bin.
 22. The storage unitaccording to claim 21, wherein said lid of said storage module isselectably connected to said cover through the use of a mounting plate.23. The storage unit according to claim 21, wherein said lid of saidstorage module is permanently affixed to said cover.
 24. The storageunit according to claim 21, wherein said storage module furthercomprises at least one divider for dividing said bin into sections. 25.The storage unit of claim 21, further comprising: at least one rackmounted inside said container, said at least one rack having a series ofnotches, and a channel operably associated with said notches; at leastone removable hinge operably associated with said at least one rack,said hinge having an extension, a tab, at least two holes, and a flatportion, said hinge connected to a pin; a flip-down board operablyassociated with said removable hinge, said flip-down board having atleast one bracket; and where said pin and said extension are received bysaid series of notches for supporting said at least one removable hingeon said at least one rack, and said flip-down board is moved relative tosaid at least one removable hinge.
 26. The storage unit of claim 25,wherein said at least one removable hinge is removable from said rackand said pin along with said extension can be placed into any of saidseries of notches, allowing the position of said at least one removablehinge to be changed relative to said rack.
 27. The storage unit of claim25, wherein said bracket is a telescoping two-piece bracket connected toone said at least two holes such that when said flip-down board ispivoted about said at least one removable hinge, said telescopingtwo-piece bracket allows said flip-down board to be positioned betweensaid flat portion and said tab, thereby supporting said flip-down board.28. The storage unit of claim 25, wherein said bracket is a two-piecefoldable bracket connected to one of said at least two holes of said atleast one removable hinge, said two-piece foldable bracket allowing saidflip-down board to pivot about said one of said at least two holes ofsaid at least one removable hinge.
 29. The storage unit of claim 28,wherein said flip-down board is divided into two pieces, and connectedto said two-piece foldable bracket.